Marchesi Antinori / La Braccesca - Bramasole Syrah 2013

Marchesi Antinori / La Braccesca - Bramasole Syrah 2013 (91 TSW)

La Braccesca consists of 508 hectares of land, of which 340 hectares are planted with vineyards. The tombs of "Bracci" once ruled this place. They gave their name and family crest to the house; Bracci means arm in Italian. The estate has been owned by the Antinori family since 1990. The Marquis became fascinated with this area and the tremendous potential for quality wines he saw.

La Braccesca is located in the middle of two completely different zones; Montepulciano and Cortona and has vineyards in both areas. This ensures an enormous diversity in the wines that the house produces. Two different personalities live in harmony side by side here, the traditional Nobile di Montepulciano and the innovative Syrah in Cortona.

The Cortona Syrah La Braccesca Bramasole dei Marchesi Antinori is born in vineyards located on the Tuscan hills in the Cortona DOC area.

It is produced exclusively with Syrah grapes, rigorously harvested by hand, then softly pressed and macerated for about 3-4 days at 7 ° C to maintain the fruity and floral notes that characterize the vine. The must ferments at temperatures not above 28 ° C. The wine is then placed in new French barriques where malolactic fermentation takes place and the maturation period lasts 16 months.

My tasting notes:

In the glass a deep deep prune red color.
On the medium(+) nose aromas of ripe plums, dark berries and smoke with hints of chocolate, tobacco and cedar.
On the palaye dry, medium(+) bodied with medium acidity and medium integrated tannins. Lots of fruits, herbs, chocolate, vanilla and spices in the mouth and a nice long final with liquorice and black pepper.

Perfect to accompany savory first courses, this wine is ideal in combination with grilled and game-based red and white meat dishes. Excellent also with aged cheeses.